The word “trauma” literally means wound, shock, or injury. Psychological trauma is a person’s experience of emotional distress resulting from an event that overwhelms the capacity to emotionally digest it. The precipitating event may be a one-time occurrence or a series of occurrences perceived as seriously harmful or life-threatening to oneself or loved ones. People process experiences differently, and not everyone has the same reaction to any event; what one person experiences as trauma may not cause distress for another.

Traumatic experiences undermine a person's sense of safety in the world and create a sense that catastrophe could strike at any time. Parental loss in childhood, motor vehicle accidents, physical violence, sexual assault, military combat experiences, earthquakes, the unexpected loss of a loved one—any sudden, violent disruption—are events that can lead to trauma. People typically replay the experience in their mind over and over and continually think about what happened. The experience leads to changes in brain function marked by a hypersensitivity to threats.

City Mental Health Counseling offers mental health counseling for all of New York State. In-person services are available only in NYC. Our services include LGBTQ therapy, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, and NYC relationship counseling. We also provide mental health services such as trauma therapy, OCD treatment services, eating disorder counseling, and psychotherapy services. Our counseling services support individuals through anxiety and depression counseling. Find our therapists for LGBTQ+ counseling in a compassionate and inclusive environment. We’re here to help you achieve your mental wellness goals in person or via our telehealth services.

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Sanctuary for Families is the largest nonprofit in New York State dedicated exclusively to serving domestic violence survivors and their children. Each year, Sanctuary helps thousands of survivors and their children build safe lives by offering a range of high quality services to meet their complex needs. These services include clinical, legal, shelter, children’s and economic stability services. Sanctuary also works to end domestic violence and its far-reaching impact through outreach, education, and advocacy.

Sanctuary for Families is the largest nonprofit in New York State dedicated exclusively to serving domestic violence survivors and their children. Each year, Sanctuary helps thousands of survivors and their children build safe lives by offering a range of high quality services to meet their complex needs. These services include clinical, legal, shelter, children’s and economic stability services. Sanctuary also works to end domestic violence and its far-reaching impact through outreach, education, and advocacy.